Sergey Sirotkin will return for a third season as Renault’s reserve driver, the team has announced.
The 24-year-old previously fulfilled the role in 2017 and 2019. He raced for Williams in F1 in 2018.Sirotkin joins Guanyu Zhou as the team’s second reserve driver. However as a former F1 driver he will be able to step into the team at short notice, whereas Zhou does not yet have sufficient FIA superlicence points to race in Formula 1.
“We’re pleased to welcome Sergey back to the team for this year,” said team principal Cyril Abiteboul. “Given the current circumstances we find ourselves in, we must have plans in place for any situation which might occur.
“We know Sergey very well and he, likewise, knows the team. We’re looking forward to welcoming Sergey this weekend in Austria.”
Sirotkin will join the team at all races this year. Zhou will also be present at the opening eight rounds, as he is contesting the Formula 2 championship with Virtuosi.
“I understand the importance for a team to have a driver ready to fill in quickly should the opportunity arise, especially given the current situation the world is in,” said Sirotkin. “I’ve been keeping sharp and focused and I would be well prepared to race a Formula 1 car again.”
View the current list of 2020 F1 drivers and teams
Don't miss anything new from RaceFans
Follow RaceFans on social media:
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2020 F1 season
- Pictures: Wrecked chassis from Grosjean’s Bahrain fireball crash to go on display
- Bottas vs Rosberg: Hamilton’s Mercedes team mates compared after 78 races each
- F1 revenues fell by $877 million in Covid-struck 2020 season
- Hamilton and Mercedes finally announce new deal for 2021 season
- F1 audience figures “strong” in 2020 despite dip in television viewers
nmgn (@nmgn)
30th June 2020, 11:37
Is there a list of some sorts, of all drivers who have (close to) enough super license points and are eligable for a f1 seat?
Jere (@jerejj)
30th June 2020, 14:51
Sirotkin to become Ricciardo’s successor for next year confirmed (pun intended).
Joshua Doran (@joshuadoran)
30th June 2020, 15:53
I always felt Sirotkin was massively underrated in his year with Williams, I thought he outperformed Stroll. I’d like to see him get a chance again , not at the cost of Ocon tho
Igor (@sterma)
30th June 2020, 16:45
It would be useful, given the threat of Covid-19, to see a full list of the official reserve drivers for each team – I predict at least one will come into play this year.